HB 1623 creates a streamlined process for temporarily suspending or restricting the licenses of massage therapists and chiropractors when two conditions are met: the licensee faces criminal charges related to their work, and the licensing board believes the public health, safety, or welfare is at immediate risk. The bill requires the board to quickly submit evidence to an administrative hearing commission, which must review the request within five days and issue an order if justified. A formal hearing must then occur within 45 days (or by the end of criminal proceedings) to determine if the suspension should continue, with the licensee able to present evidence. If no disciplinary cause is found at the hearing, the suspension is automatically lifted, and the board must remove all related records from public files. This process applies only to emergency suspensions and does not replace other disciplinary actions the board may take.
HB 2254 requires Missouri circuit courts to immediately appoint two qualified attorneys for indigent defendants sentenced to death when imposing the sentence. These attorneys must have specific training in death penalty cases, three years of criminal litigation experience, and prior experience handling at least five postconviction motions. The bill prohibits appointed counsel from having represented the defendant at trial or on direct appeal and mandates the state public defender to cover their reasonable compensation and expenses. This law applies to all death penalty cases and postconviction motions challenging such sentences under Missouri’s rules 24.035 or 29.15.
Missouri's HB 2328, known as "Calvin's Law," creates new safety requirements for children under 10 riding as passengers on motorcycles or motortricycles. It prohibits operators from allowing children under 10 to ride unless the vehicle has a proper passenger seat and the child can place both feet on foot pegs (with medical exemptions allowed), and requires all under-10 passengers to wear helmets meeting state standards. The law directly affects motorcycle operators transporting young children and sets fines up to $100 for violations, with stops permitted solely to check compliance. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not impose criminal penalties for these specific violations.
HB 1798 requires that the written portion of Missouri's driver's license examination be administered exclusively in English, prohibiting the use of translators during this test. This change directly affects applicants for new or renewed driver's licenses who do not speak English fluently, as they must now complete the written test without language assistance. The bill does not alter other components of the licensing process, such as vision tests, practical driving tests, or exceptions for military members or license holders from reciprocal states. It specifically targets the written exam's language requirement, ensuring all applicants must demonstrate understanding of traffic laws in English. This policy change applies to all applicants taking the written test, regardless of prior license status or background.
HB 1772 modifies Missouri's foster care subsidy program to clarify eligibility and add new adoption-related financial assistance. It requires written agreements between the children's division and foster parents covering payment terms, and allows subsidy suspension if a child is adjudicated dependent and removed from parental custody. Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill creates a new grant program to cover adoption legal fees (up to $2,500 for uncontested adoptions, $4,000 for contested), including attorney fees billed at $175/hour and related court costs. This directly affects foster parents, prospective adoptive parents, and the children's division, with the adoption fee assistance applying specifically to successful adoption proceedings.
HB 1808 limits social host liability for injuries caused by serving alcohol to adults aged 21 or older. It allows lawsuits only if the host knowingly provided alcohol to someone visibly intoxicated (evidenced by BAC ≥0.10%), created an unreasonable risk of harm, and the injury resulted from that person driving while intoxicated. The bill establishes legal BAC thresholds: under 0.10% BAC creates an irrebuttable presumption the guest wasn’t visibly intoxicated, while 0.10%-0.15% BAC creates a rebuttable presumption. This section becomes the exclusive civil remedy for such incidents.
SB 1443 would authorize a tax credit for specific capital investments, though the provided abstract does not detail which types of investments qualify (e.g., equipment, technology) or the credit amount. It would directly affect businesses making qualifying capital expenditures, potentially reducing their state tax liability. The bill’s key mechanism would be the creation of this credit, but the abstract lacks specifics on eligibility criteria, duration, or administrative requirements. As the bill is in early stages (prefiled, first reading), no concrete policy changes are defined in the available context. Without further details on provisions, a fuller summary cannot be provided.
HB 1831 creates new safety rules for children under 10 riding as passengers on motorcycles or motortricycles in Missouri. It requires motorcycles to have a proper passenger seat and mandates that children must be able to place both feet on foot pegs to ride as a passenger (with medical exemptions allowed). The bill also requires all under-10 passengers to wear protective headgear meeting state standards. These provisions, nicknamed "Calvin's Law," take effect January 1, 2027.
HJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.
HB 2553, known as "Calvin's Law," requires children under 10 to wear protective headgear and ride only on motorcycles with proper passenger seats and foot pegs (unless a licensed physician certifies a medical exemption). It prohibits children under 10 from riding as passengers unless they can place both feet on foot pegs. Violations carry fines up to $100, with higher penalties ($100) for cases involving children under 10. The law also mandates that all riders under 26 wear protective headgear while operating or riding motorcycles. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1699 modifies how counties appoint county health officers. It allows county commissions to appoint a licensed physician for a one-year term, fill vacancies with interim appointments until a permanent officer is named, and agree on compensation paid from the county treasury. The bill explicitly states counties are not required to appoint a health officer. It does not change existing duties or state health laws but clarifies appointment procedures for county commissions. (Note: Bill is in early legislative stages with no action beyond prefiling.)
This bill modifies Missouri's social work licensing laws by creating new license categories for baccalaureate and advanced macro social workers, distinct from the existing clinical and master social worker licenses. The legislation defines specific scopes of practice for each license type, allowing baccalaureate and advanced macro social workers to provide nonclinical services like case management, community organization, and policy development, while prohibiting them from diagnosing mental disorders or providing psychotherapy without direct supervision from a licensed clinical social worker. It also establishes supervision requirements, mandating that supervisors complete specialized training and maintain a minimum of three years of practice experience. These changes aim to formalize career pathways for social workers with bachelor's and master's degrees who focus on macro-level practice rather than direct clinical treatment.
